What is Central Vestibular Disorder?

Central vestibular disorder describes dizziness, vertigo or imbalance that is result of dysfunction within the central nervous system. The central nervous system plays a large role in successfully processing balance and spatial information.

Central Vestibular Disorder Symptomology:

Symptoms of central vestibular disorder typically have a gradual onset and progression in severity. Dizziness associated with central vestibular disorder may be described as a feeling of disequilibrium, lightheadedness or general imbalance rather than vertigo. Furthermore, symptoms are typically described as constant rather than episodic.

Central Vestibular Disorder Testing:

Indications of a central lesion may be revealed during videonystagmography (VNG) testing. VNG central indications may include: abnormalities of eye movements, direction-changing nystagmus within one head position, or nystagmus exacerbated by visual fixation. This information can then be sent to patient’s referring physician for further investigation.

The Hearing & Balance Center of Austin and the FYZICAL Balance Therapy Center are located in Austin, TX. Mark Brown is an otolaryngologist specializing in diseases and disorders of the head and neck, most commonly the ears, nose, and throat. The Hearing & Balance Center of Austin & FYZICAL Balance Physical Therapy are divisions of Great Hills ENT. Paige Peterson, AuD, Ph.D., and Sabrina Marciante, AuD, FAAA are audiologists specializing in hearing loss, tinnitus, balance/dizziness and neurophysiological disorders in both children and adults. For patients with hearing loss, state-of-the-art hearing aids and tinnitus treatment solutions are available. Alicia Harrington, DPT is a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular/balance therapy and gait retraining therapy. Together Dr. Paige Peterson, Dr. Sabrina Marciante and Dr. Harrington are Austin's Dizzy Doctors. The Hearing & Balance Center of Austin and FYZICAL Balance Physical Therapy are proud to provide patient-centered healthcare to the communities of Central Texas including Austin, the Arboretum, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, Westlake Hills, Bee Caves, Lago Vista and Point Venture.